Footpad



March 29, 1932. Q L. SKILLEN 1,851,778

FOOTPAD Filed July 9, 1950 Patented Mar. 29, 19.32

UNITED STATES,

GEORGE L. SKILLEN, F MUKWONAGO, WISCONSIN FOOTPAD Application led J'uly9, 1930. Serial No. 466,847.

This invention relates to an improved foot pad, and seeks among otherobjects to provide a device ofthis character which may be worn under thesole of the shoe or which may be worn as a sandal in lieu of the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foot pad employing areinforcing plate which will cause the pad to retain its shape.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 1e vide a foot pad whereinthe reinforcing means will serve to anchor the straps employed.

Other and incidental objects of the invention not mentioned'in theforegoing will ap pear during the course of the following description.

Il have illustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure lis a perspective view of the device,

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the device, and

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-8 ofFigure l looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The improved foot pad comprising the subject matter of the presentinvention includes a thick preferably sponge rubber sole 1 which is of ashape to substantially conform to the shape of the human foot, or, ifpreferred, the sole of a shoe. It is to be understood, of course,

that the sole may be manufactured in various sizes and is preferably ofuniform thickness throughout. Extending longitudinally of said sole is apreferably resilient metal reinforcing plate 2V of skeletonconstruction,

which plate is embedded in the sole and is disposed near the top surfaceof said sole, thereby disposing the greater portion of the thickness ofthe sole below said plate. The plate 2 is shaped to substantiallyconform to .40 the shape of the sole and is of an overall width andlength slightly less than the width and length of the sole so that theouter edge of the plate will be disposed inwardly of the edge of saidsole in uniform spaced relation thereto. As best seen in Fig. 2 of thedrawings, the sole and heel portions of the plate 2 are cut awaycentrally to define a strip 3 of uniform width throughout. The sideportions of the strip are joined at the instep of 5 the sole by arelatively wide web 4 which is,

of course, of the same thickness as the strip. It is pointed out thatthe plate 2 may, if desired, be inserted in a slit formed in the soleor, the sole may be formed of plies of sponge rubber and the platedisposed between said plies, after which the plies are vulcanizedtogether for firmly securing the plate in position between the saidplies. The rubber will, of course, embrace the strip of the plate sothat creeping of said plate within the sole at consequent mutilation ofthe sponge rub# ber comprising the sole will be effectually prevented.

Riveted or otherwise secured to the toe of the plate 2 is a transverselyextending strap 5 which is formed of fabric or other suitable material.The strap is of a width substantially equal to that of the strip 3 andis of a length great enough to surround the toe of a shoe or the forwardportion of the foot.

The strap will, of course, project from veach side'of'tlie toe of theshoe, and appropriately secured to one end of said strap 5 are suitableanchoring means, a conventional buckle 6 being shown in the drawings.Carried at the heel of thel sole is an upstanding counter 7 which issecured at its free lower margin to the heel of the sole by an adhesiveor in any suitable manner. Extending transversely of the heel portion ofthe plate 2 and riveted 0r otherwise secured to the strip 3 thereof is astrap 8 which is formed preferably of fabric and is of a widthsubstantially equal to that of said strip. The strap extends from theopposite sides of the heel of the sole when it is turned upwardly and ispreferably sewed to the free end margins ofthe counter 7. The strap 8 isof a length great enough to surround the ankle and, like the strap 5,'is provided at one end with suitable anchoring means,y a buckle beingshown.

In use the improved food pad is preferably placed on the bottom of theshoe sole, when the straps 5 and 8 are brought up to surround the toe ofthe shoe and the ankle n It is to be noted that the reinforcing plate 2serves a dual function in that it not only provides a reinforcement, butalso provides anchoring means for the straps. It is to be further notedthat the plate will tend to support the arch of the foot and therebylargely prevent fallen arches which might otherwise be caused if thereinforcing plate was omitted. Inasinuch as the central portions of thetoe and heel of the sole are cut away or removed, the rubber willbepermitted to funcftion in its full cushioning capacity.

Attention is directed to the fact that the foot pad may be used as asandal in lieu of a shoe, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, I claimt:

The device of the class described including a sole having a toe and aheel, an oblong reenforcing plate embedded within the sole andA providedwith a toe and a. heel, said plate being out away at the Sole and heelto define astrip joined at the instep by a relatively wide web, a strapsecured to the toe of the plate and. projecting from the toe of the-soleat each side thereof for engagement with the toe of. a shoe, a counterupstanding from the heel of the sole and having its lower margin securedto said .hee-l, and a transversely extending strap secured to the heelof the plate to extend from each side ofthe heel of the. sole and havingportions secured to the free end margins of the counter forreenforcingsaid counter, said second mentioned strap pulling the counter into closeengagement with, the counter of a shoe and cooperating with said firstmentioned strap fory securing the device in an operative position.

In testimony whereof I affix my. signature;

GEORGE L. SKILLEN. [11. S.]

